ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
AYUSH
AYUSH Ministry’s webinar on Nidra and Yoga highlights the role of sleep in promoting good health
“NIDRA- A webinar on Yoga and Sleep” hosted by the Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy , an Autonomous Body under the Ministry of AYUSH succeeded in focussing attention on a critical, but often neglected factor of health, namely, sleep. The webinar was held on 7th January 2021. The webinar was attended by sleep specialists which included Neurologists, Psychiatrists, Clinicians, Researchers, and Yoga & Naturopathy physicians. In the scientific session, experts discussed a variety of topics related to sleep, its importance and the benefits of Yoga Nidra.
Among the many experts who took part in the webinar, Dr HN Mallick, former Professor, AIIMS, New Delhi spoke about the Importance of sleep and biological rhythm, physiology of sleep and factors that influence the circadian rhythm. Explained in detail various aspects of Obstructive Sleep apnea and its effects on health, Dr Ravi Gupta, Additional Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Division of Sleep Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh emphasized on strategies that can help in improving obstructive sleep apnea like reducing weight, breathing exercises, yoga & pranayama along with other treatment modalities. Dr Karuna Datta, Professor, Sports Medicine & Coordinator Department of Medical Education, AFMC Pune also shared her experience with the intervention of Yoga Nidra in insomnia patients.
Shri Vikram Singh, Director, Ministry of AYUSH added a common man’s perspective, and explained a good sleep pattern led to increased productivity in everyday life. Sleep has become all the more important in the new “normal” conditions post Covid-19 and we all need to pay closer attention to it.
Highlighting how yoga helps in improving the quality of sleep, Dr Raghavendra Rao, Director, CCRYN spoke about the effect of yoga and sleep modulation in cancer and COVID positive patients. He elaborated on how the breath rate variability was higher in Covid positive patients compared to healthy individuals. After a good discussion and presentations by the experts on various topics, the scientific session with an affirmation on increased scientific studies on various aspects of sleep and the linkage between adequate sleep and good health. The CCRYN resolved to coordinate research projects on the subject, including special focus on the impart of “Yoga Nidra”.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.65 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
9,497 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 8,601
Active cases stand at 0.02%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.79%
910 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,41,62,832
1,590 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
92.08 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 1,19,560 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19: revised travel advisory
In view of the emerging global scenarios regarding COVID19, in supersession of all earlier advisories, the following advisories are issued for immediate implementation:
- All regular  Visas/e-Visa  granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before 03.03.2020 and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, may seek fresh visa from nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.
- Regular  visa / e-Visa granted to nationals of Peoples Republic of China, issued on or before 05.02.2020 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force. Those needing to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.
- Regular  visas/e-Visas granted to all foreign nationals who have travelled to Peoples Republic of China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after 01.02.2020, and who have not yet entered India stand suspended with immediate effect. Those requiring to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visa to nearest Indian Embassy/Consulate.
- Diplomats, officials of UN and other International bodies, OCI cardholders and Aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their medical screening is compulsory.
- Passengers of all international flights entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self declaration form  and travel history, to Health Officials and Immigration officials at all ports.
- Passengers  other than those restricted, arriving directly or indirectly from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan must undergo medical screening at port of entry.
- Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and Japan advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries.
Ministry of Finance
Auction for Sale  of ‘5.09% GS 2022’, Auction for Sale  of ‘5.79% GS 2030’, Auction for Sale  of ‘GoI Floating Rate Bond 2033’, and Auction for Sale  of ‘7.19% GS 2060’.
The Government of India has announced the Sale  of  ‘5.09 per cent Government Stock, 2022’ for a notified amount of Rs 3,000 crore  through price based auction,  ‘5.79 per cent Government Stock, 2030’ for a notified amount of Rs 18,000 crore  through price based auction,  ‘GoI Floating Rate Bonds, 2033’ for a notified amount of Rs 4,000 crore  through price based auction, and  ‘7.19 per cent Government Stock, 2060’ for a notified amount of Rs 5,000 crore  through price based auction. GoI will have the option to retain additional subscription up to Rs 2,000 crore each against any one or more of the above securities. The auctions will be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, Mumbai Office, Fort, Mumbai on July 03, 2020  using multiple price method.
Up to 5% of the notified amount of the sale of the stocks will be allotted to eligible individuals and Institutions as per the Scheme for Non-Competitive Bidding Facility in the Auction of Government Securities.
Both competitive and non-competitive bids for the auction should be submitted in electronic format on the Reserve Bank of India Core Banking Solution  system on July 03, 2020. The non-competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.00 a.m. and the competitive bids should be submitted between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The result of the auctions will be announced on July 03, 2020  and payment by successful bidders will be on July 06, 2020 .
The Stocks will be eligible for “When Issued” trading in accordance with the guidelines on ‘When Issued transactions in Central Government Securities’ issued by the Reserve Bank of India vide circular No. RBI/2018-19/25 dated July 24, 2018 as amended from time to time.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot flags off ‘Walkthan’ for Senior Citizens to mark International Day of Older Persons
Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment flagged off a “Walkthan” for older persons and senior citizens to mark the International Day of Older Persons at Commonwealth Games Village Stadium, near Akshardham Mandir here this morning. The Walkthan was organised by the National Institute of Social Defence  under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in collaboration with Confederation of Senior Citizens Association of Delhi. Smt. Neelam Sawhney, Secretary, M/o SJ&E, Shri J.R. Gupta, Chairperson of the Confederation and many dignitaries were present. Senior citizens in a large number from all parts of Delhi took part in the Walkthan. The event consisted of Police Band performance, Cultural and musical programmes by Senior citizens and Yoga & fitness session with Police Band.
Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot in his address said the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is committed to the overall welfare of older persons and senior citizens. His Ministry has initiated many new programmes and schemes for the welfare of senior citizens. The Ministry felicitates senior citizens and older persons by conferring ‘Vayoshreshtha Samman’ every year on the eminent senior citizens and institutions in many categories in recognition of their services towards the cause of the elderly persons.
He said that in the year 2017 the Ministry has started “Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana” under which physical aids and assistive living devices viz. wheel chairs, hearing aids, spectacles, support stickset care distributed to the older persons of below poverty line category. He said that so far 1 lakh 13 thousand Vayoshri camps had been organised where physical aids and assistive device worth Rs. 68 crore have been provided to senior citizens. This scheme has been initiated in 250 districts of the country. He urged the people especially the young generation to accord due respect to older persons.
On the International Day of Older Persons, every year since 2005 the mass awareness event “Walkthan” is being organised by NISD. The event has a great value for awareness about welfare of Senior Citizens and giving a life of dignity to elderly persons. Showcasing of various positive physical activities were done like a RUN, slogan March, Yoga and fitness session. This mega event became colorful with the participation of various organizations from Delhi & NCR.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI to Develop Over 600 Wayside Amenities Along National Highways
In a major move to improve commuters’ experience on National Highways for both, passengers and truckers, the National Highways Authority of India  will develop world class ‘Wayside Amenities’ at more than 600 locations across 22 states along the National Highways in the next five years. Out of these, 130 are targeted for development in 2021-22. NHAI has already invited bids to develop 120 such wayside amenities. As per plan, wayside amenities will be developed every 30-50 km along the current and upcoming Highways and Expressways.
The amenities will include numerous facilities for passengers such as Fuel Station, Electric Charging Facilities, Food Court, Retail Shops, ATM, Toilets with shower facility, Children Playing Area, Clinic, Village Haat for local handicrafts etc.
Keeping in view the specific requirements of truckers, separate ‘Truckers Blocks’ will be developed at large amenities that will include Truck and Trailer Parking, Auto Workshop, Truckers Dormitory, Cooking and Washing area, Toilets with shower, Clinic, Eateries, Retail shops etc.
The facilities such as Electric charging stations will help in promoting use of electric vehicles, thus, reducing pollution. The amenities will also promote local economy by generating employment opportunities and help local people to market their unique produce/ handicrafts etc. at village haats developed at the amenities.
NHAI will develop these wayside amenities across the country with a combined area of over 3,000 hectares. These will offer huge opportunities for investors, developers, operators and retailers. Currently, NHAI is offering Wayside Amenities on Public Private Partnership model for development and operation on existing highways.
All upcoming greenfield/brownfield National Highway projects will be provisioned to have wayside amenities and logistic parks. NHAI has started Land identification & monetization plan for development and real estate consultants have been engaged for designing of the amenities after studying the local suitability.
These wayside amenities will not only go a long way in making highway travel more convenient for commuters but also will provide adequate facilities for rest and refreshment to Highway users.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Proposals invited on COVID-19 & related respiratory viral infections
Proposals may be submitted as per SERB-IRHPA format by 5 pm on Monday, the 30th March 2020, through the SERB online portal
COVID-19 virus has spread rapidly throughout the world. Given the lack of an efficacious vaccine and lack of availability of suitable chemotherapeutic interventions, the global population has been hit hard to the current coronavirus outbreak.
Science & Engineering Research Board , an autonomous institution of the Department of Science & Technology, invites proposals as part of special call under IRHPA  scheme specifically designed for COVID-19 and related respiratory viral infections to ramp up national R&D efforts for new antivirals, vaccines, and affordable diagnostics.
Academic and research institutions have been encouraged to submit competitive proposals having a strong interdisciplinary component between chemists, biologists, virologists, immunologists, and clinicians, in the related areas and to focus on the development of affordable diagnostics, vaccines, antivirals, disease models and other R&D to study these infections.
One of the participating institutions should have access to BSL-3  and above facilities, along with the expertise of handling respiratory viruses as per WHO/Govt. of India protocols.
DST-SERB encourages technical partnerships and collaborative know-how from biotech and pharmaceutical companies. SERB is committed for strategic investments to accelerate antiviral research.
The Proposals may be submitted as per SERB-IRHPA format by 5 pm on Monday the 30th March 2020, through the SERB online portal.
The proposals may focus on some of the key themes such as-
- New or repurposed antivirals against valid viral targets; viricidal coatings; etc.
- Affordable diagnostics for symptomatic and asymptomatic respiratory viral infections
- Investigational vaccines against respiratory viruses
- Response of virus to temperature, humidity & UV radiation
- Development of disease models for respiratory viral infections
- Studies on immune response and immunity during respiratory viral infections
- Epidemiology of COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 200.28 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 7.04 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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2,00,28,66,975
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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7,04,44,690
More than 200.02 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 7.04 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Culture
Culture Minister, Shri Prahalad Singh Patel to inaugurate the exhibition-‘Unknown masterpieces of Himachal Folk Art’, tomorrow in New Delhi.
The Minister of State  of Culture & Tourism, Government of India, Shri Prahalad Singh Patel will inaugurate the exhibition titled "Unknown Masterpieces of Himachal Folk Art”, at National Museum, New Delhi, tomorrow. The Exhibition is being jointly organised by the National Museum, New Delhi and Home of Folk Art , Gurugram in which more than 240 artefacts are will be on display. Out of this 230 objects belong to the personal lifetime collection of Late K.C. Aryan, Home of Folk Art, Gurugram. The exhibition has been Curated by Mr. B.N. Aryan, Director, Home of Folk Art, Gurugram and assisted by Ms Abira Bhattacharya from National Museum under the direction of Dr. B.R. Mani, Director General National Museum. The exhibition will remain open for public upto 31st July, 2019.
The present exhibition aims to highlight the Folk art tradition of Himachal Pradesh. Prior to being carved out as an independent state, Himachal Pradesh was known as the Punjab Hill States, the term coined by the British administrators. The arts and crafts of this state give us some idea of what must have existed in the plains of Punjab, the province that had to bear the brunt of perennial invasions and warfare from the north-western frontiers of India.
Like other parts of India, in Himachal Pradesh also, two stylistic streams of art and culture - classical or courtly  and folk  - were nurtured by the natives from the earliest times. Although no examples of art or craft objects are extant prior to the 3rd century BCE, the figures of Hindu deities engraved on the coins issued by the chieftains of the janapadas  such as the Kunindas, the Malavas, the Audumbaras, etc. attest to the fact that the iconographic precepts governing the deities such as Shiva, six-headed Karttikeya or Kumara, Gaja-Lakshmi, Krittika, Rishi Vishvamitra, etc. were fully evolved by the 3rd century BCE ; that contemporaneously, the sculptors must have shaped identical images in the round in wood, stone and metal. Evidently, the tradition of sculpting images of the deities and rishis  – to the latter are dedicated numerous wood and stone shrines erected on the sites where they had meditated dotting the entire length and breadth of this state – was in existence and continued in subsequent centuries. The stone statues of Vishnu and numerous reliefs carved in the Sarnath style and discovered from the Ambika Mata and Parashurama temples in Nirmand in Outer Saraj in Kulu district, popularly known as the Kashi of the Himalayan region, dated to the 4th-5th centuries CE testify to this phenomenon. So do the free standing wood statues of Surya and one of his attendants Dandi and Pingala, and four door frames featuring elegant, flowing forms of Hindu goddesses executed in Gupta and post-Gupta style, i.e. late 6th-early 7th centuries CE. These were enshrined in the wooden temple of Surya that has been reconstructed and dedicated to Docha-Mocha  in Gajan hamlet in Kulu valley.
President's Secretariat
Vice President of Vietnam Calls on the President
Mrs Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, the Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam called on the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
Welcoming the Vice President of Vietnam to India, the President said that India and Vietnam are bound by a rich history of civilizational and cultural links. Today, India-Vietnam relations are characterized as Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India is privileged to share a strong development cooperation partnership with Vietnam. India is keen to promote greater capacity building in Vietnam through its flagship Technical and Economic Cooperation programme.
The President said that Vietnam is pivotal to India’s Act East Policy and its Indo-Pacific vision. Vietnam is also an invaluable link in India’s engagement with ASEAN. He congratulated Vietnam for assuming the Chairmanship of ASEAN as well as for becoming a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. He said India looks forward to working with Vietnam to deepen its global partnership.
Ministry of Finance
CBIC is dedicating 75 Taxpayer Facilitation Centres all over the country
Kolkata gets Two such centres
Kolkata, 30th December, 2021
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs is dedicating 75 Taxpayer Facilitation Centres  to the taxpayers all over the country today. Among them 2 centres are in Kolkata. One such Centre was dedicated for taxpayers of Kolkata Customs Zone. It was inaugurated by Shri Deep Shekhar, IRS, Principal Commissioner of Customs . This centre is located at Custom House, Kolkata. It will serve the taxpayers of Land, Port and Airport commissionarates in West Bengal. The other centre was dedicated for taxpayers of excise zones. It was inaugurated by Shri A.P.S. Suri, Principle Chief Commissioner, Kolkata Zone  . This centre is located at GST Bhawan, Kolkata. The TFCs will act as an on-going outreach platform for the various initiatives launched by the finance department from time to time. Considering the vital role of people’s participation  in making our country, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs is dedicating these 75 Taxpayer Facilitation Centres  to the taxpayer on the lines of theme : Idea, Achievement and Resolve across the country with emphasis on service delivery, grievance redressal and excellence in service.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs  in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India through its field formations is actively participating 75 years of India’s Independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ with the nation and organizing various citizen centric activities with a view to connect with its taxpayers’ base with emphasis on Ease of Doing Business. While there is GST Helpdesk and CBIC Saksham Seva through which taxpayers can connect through phone/mail for resolution of any issue or for help related to any techno-functional query pertaining to GST law and portal process, the persons involved in import and export of goods can connect with ICEGATE Helpdesk for any Customs related issue. In addition to this, CBIC has now set up Taxpayer Facilitation Centres  in each CGST Zone and Customs Zone to act as a local Helpdesk to assist the taxpayers with their informational needs, responses to any query and for hand-holding exercise for them from time to time.
CG/CB/
Shri Deep Shekhar, IRS, Principal Commissioner of Customs is inaugurating the Taxpayer Facilitation Centres  for Kolkata Customs Zone at Custom House, Kolkata. on 30th December, 2021
Shri A.P.S. Suri, Principle Chief Commissioner, Kolkata Zone  is inaugurating the Taxpayer Facilitation Centres  in GST Bhawan, Kolkata
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Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on a three-day visit to Singapore to explore the connect, collaborate and cooperate in education and skill development
Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will proceed on a three-day visit to Singapore today to strengthen existing ties and to explore the possibility for widening the scope of bilateral engagement in education and skill development.
During the visit, Shri Pradhan will be meeting various key Ministers of Singaporean Government including Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry Mr. Gan Kim Yong and Education Minister Mr.Chan Chun Sing.
Shri Pradhan will also be visiting various educational institutions including Singapore Spectra Secondary School, Nanyang Technological University , Institute of Technical Education and Educational Services , Singapore University of Technology & Design . He will also be interacting with the Skills Future Singapore , the nodal agency under Singapore government which drives the implementation of SkillsFuture Movement.
During his visit, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will be meeting members of Indian Diaspora and Odia Association. The Minister will also be interacting with the IIT and IIM Alumni in Singapore.
India and Singapore have long standing partnership in the field of skill development. One of the focus areas of the Education Working Group under our G20 Presidency is promoting lifelong learning and future of work. On 25th April 2023, a joint workshop on “Future of Work: Skill Architecture and Governance Models of India and Singapore” was organised on the side-lines of the 3rd Education Working Group Meeting in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha in collaboration with Singaporean Ministry of Education and Ministry of Trade and Industry. The deliberations held during the workshop will contribute towards building a roadmap for future skills collaboration between India and Singapore. .